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The Croatian schemer has had a cracking spell in the Spanish capital since he joined in 2012. An absolute delight to watch in central midfield, the player has been pulling reigns in the engine room for the Spanish giants.
His vision, passing, and control on the ball are simply magnificent. However, the curse of time would deprive the fans of his genius as he would be 33 in the coming season.
Los Blancos are expected to spend a mammoth sum this summer in the market. They need to strengthen their team and upgrade the majority of positions on the pitch.
Finding a replacement for the star-man would be no piece of a cake but here are the ones who can fill in his shoes at the club.
Stats via squawka.com
#5 Maxime Lopez
Lopez may not be as popular as the upcoming ones on the list but the player has made his mark in the game this season.
The 20-year-old plays for the French club Olympique Marseille and attracted the attention of some big clubs with his display in the Ligue 1. Los Blancos have been linked with the player in recent months.
Also read: 5 players Real Madrid can sign this summer
The Frenchman is a remarkable passer of the ball and his focus and maturity on the pitch are quite impressive. He avoids reckless challenges but possesses the ability to break down attacks with his reading of the opposing attacks.
The player has a passing accuracy of 92%, domestically this season. He is the player Real can bank on for at least a decade. Moreover, his game resembles that of Modric's and it is a risk worth taking to sign such an inexperienced player.
Easing him into a team like Real Madrid is going to be a mammoth task but so was it when the Croatian was signed.
#4 Christian Eriksen
Eriksen is among one of the best midfielders in England. The Danish midfielder has been pivotal to the Spurs side which has been impressive for the past few seasons now.
The player has long been linked with a move to Spain. However, the interested party is the arch-rivals FC Barcelona. In 2017/18 alone, he created 82 chances in the league while boasting a passing accuracy of 82%.
The 26-year-old is a sublime passer of the ball. He has that unique ability to fall deep to fetch the ball while allowing the players to make runs in the boxes. His crossing and delivery are, to say the least, superb.
Real Madrid would greatly benefit from his style of play. They can rely on him for creativity which has vastly been missing from their superstars' game recently.
However, his acquisition would mean Toni Kroos would have to be in a slightly more withdrawn role. The same shouldn't be a problem because the German's best abilities certainly do not come playing too close to the opposition's defence.
#3 Marco Verratti
Veratti is another superstar name on the list who had been linked to the Catalans. Real would love to pull one of these players off this summer just to send a message to their bitter rivals.
The Italian has been in some form over the years. He has showcased is mettle in the engine room with his reading of the game and brilliant interception skills. Going forward, he is a major threat because of his passing accuracy and through balls.
He would balance the Los Blancos midfield well. His attributes accompanied with Toni Kroos' vision and Isco's creativity would reap heavy dividends for the European Champions.
The 25-year-old has took three defensive actions per game in France winning 53% of the duels. Also he created 28 chances in 22 league appearances.
Real Madrid should look forward towards pursuing the player after earlier being reported of being interested in him. He is a long term option. However, it remains to be seen how they budge PSG into selling the star midfielder.
#2 Mateo Kovacic
A gifted midfielder from Croatia whose vision and passing abilities are sublime. Who is it? Modric? Kovacic too!
He joined Real Madrid in 2015 from Inter Milan and appeared to be a promising talent for the club. In no time, the Croatian proved his credentials and knocked at the manager's doors for more opportunities.
According to reports, the Premier League clubs are deeply interested in the Real Madrid man. However, if he gets a break in the first team, it is hard to imagine him leaving such a massive club.
He is the closest the club would ever get to replacing the aging Croatian. He ticks all the boxes which make him the ideal one to take over the number #10 jersey and don the midfield at the Bernabeu.
In a personal opinion, no other player deserves to fill in for Modric more than him. The 24-year-old has waited long enough, his patience should be honored now.
#1 Kevin de Bruyne
De Bruyne is the player who has been at the heart of Manchester City's game this season. The Belgian has absolutely been a gem of a player and an unmatched talent in the country.
His creativity and passing range has caught the attention of all football fans. Sitting in a deep play-maker role, the 26-year-old has made football look so easy and beautiful.
No marker has managed to keep him quiet all season and the player will only get better with every passing match-day.
He has assisted 15 of his team's league goals while bagging seven for himself which include some thunderbolt strikes to send shivers down the opposition's spine
The pace at which he transforms defence into attack is stupendous. This is what would attract the club. He would add the destructive ability to Real's already glowing midfield. The duo of Kroos and Casemiro could wrap up all the dirty work while giving him the license to link up with the forwards.
Real were reported to be interested in the player in February. What a signing he would be for Perez if he somehow manages to snatch the player from Pep Guardiola's clutches.
